Game Preview: Round 1, Game 1 @ Saskatoon
SETTING IT UP:
Game one of the 2024 WHL Playoffs between the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades kicks off tonight at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. The Raiders clinched a playoff spot on the last weekend of the regular season, after the Calgary Hitmen lost to the Swift Current Broncos. The green and gold claimed the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and have the task of facing the number one team in the WHL, a spot the Blades have been in almost all season.
THE SEASON SERIES:
Prince Albert went 2-7-0-1 against the Blades this season, with both of their wins coming in shootouts. Four of their meetings this season have been decided by one goal, with the Raiders and Blades each winning two of those games. Prince Albert has yet to win a game in Saskatoon this season, and will be looking to change that tonight with a hot start to their best of seven series.
RIVALRY RENEWED IN THE POSTSEASON:
The Raiders and Blades square off in the playoffs for the first time since Game 6 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semi-Final. The Raiders won that series 4-2, with a 6-3 win which closed out the series. Prince Albert would go on to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions that season.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
| Raiders Season Stats |
| Goals For: 215 |
| Goals Against: 221 |
| Shots For: 2,144 |
| Shots Against: 2,169 |
| Powerplay: 60/258 (23.3%) |
| Penalty Kill: 196/250 (78.2%) |
UP NEXT:
The Raiders and Blades will go head to head for game two of the playoffs tomorrow night at 7pm. The clubs will head to Prince Albert for games three and four on Tuesday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 3. Start times for every game in round one is 7pm.
